Apparatus for filling packages



June 24, 1930. E. A. MARSH I APPARATUS FOR FILLING PACKAGES Filed Jan. '7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l dual/m11 S June 24, 1930. E, A. MARSH 1,766,444

APPARATUS FOR FILLING PACKAGES Filed Jan. 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s AMara/l Patented June 24, 1930 UNlTEll STATES PATENT OFFICE ESLI A. MARSH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,l TO ST. REGIS PAPER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N Y., A CORPORATION F NEW YORK APPARATUS FOR FILLING PACKAGES Application filed January 7, 1929. serial No. 330,840.

This invention relates to apparatus for Iilling packages, and more particularly to apparatus in which the package is weighed while being filled and the filling operation is stopped when a sufficient weight of material has been placed in the package. The invention has to do with the combination of the weighing and filling mechanism. The` object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character described which is simple in construction, eflicient in operation, and reliable in action. Further objects and details of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

1.5 In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a partial vertical section and partial elevation lof one form of apparatus embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross section substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similai` to Fig. 1, but showing an alternative form of construction; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a y vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

25 In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

` there( is a framework 1.0 upon which there is pivotally mounted at 11a filling and weighing device. The filling and weighing device comprises a casing 12 for a propeller 13 which may be driven from va suitable motor -in a casing 14.1nounted upon the underside of casing 12. From the left side of casing 12 there projects a filling tube 15 and suspended from this side ofthe fillingV apparatus there is a'support 16 for a bag or other receptacle to be filled. In the construction shown, the spout 15 is adapted to enter the `v alve of a valve'bag, the bottom of which may rest upon support 17, if desired. This support for the bag is no part of the presentinvention and is indicated diagrammatically.

From the right side of casing 12 there projects a'bracket 18 upon which there rests a weight 19. Beneath bracket 18 there is a bracket 20 extending from frame 10 and carrying a stop screw 21 which limits the downward movement of bracket 18.

Upon an upward extension 22 of frame 10 there is mounted a hopper 23 adapted to contain a supply of material to be packaged. It

will be readily understood that this hopper may be continued and expanded, if desired, or may receive material in any desired way from a suitable source.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the lower end 24 of hopper 23 is substantially circular in cross section and is surrounded by a flangeA 25 extending upward `from casing `12. Mounted upon the shaft 26 of propeller 13 there is a clearing device 27 having means 60 such as angular vanes 28 for urging material towards the middle of the flange when ,the propeller is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in F ig. 2.

Beneath motor casing 14 there is indicated 65 a switch member29 pivoted at 30 to the frame. A spring 31 attached to the switch at 32 and to the frame at y33 'passes adjacent the pivot point 30 and operates to hold the` switch in either open or closed position. A pedal 34 pivoted at 35 upon frame 10 has a projection 36 adapted to contact the switch and move it to the closed position in which it is shown in Fig. 1. A spring 37 returns the pedal to the position ini;l which it is shown, when itis released by the operators foot. A rod 38 projects downward from the frame carrying casing l2 and isin position to contact switch 29 vand move it to open position when the left side of the casing is lowered.

Before describing the alternative form' shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the operation of the apparatus thus far described will be indicated. With the apparatus in the position 85 in which it is .shown in Fig. 1, with the switch closed, the motor operates propeller 13 and clearing device 27. It will be understood that material is maintained in hopper 23 in any desirable way so that it is fed con- 90 tinuously therefrom to the central portionof the feeder casing. When a container resting upon spout 15 and/or support 17 is empty, ,weight 19 counterbalances the load so that bracket 18 rests upon stop screw 21595 When suiiicient material has been fed into' the container to counterbalance thel weight,

the casing 12 and its associated parts swing upper edgeof flange '25 so as to interfere with the free movement of the filling and weighing device. Furthermore, the movement of clearing device 27 creates and maintains,a line of cleava e between the matelrial in the hopper -an the material in the casing soas to prevent any material interference with the weighing operation because of friction alonA this line. I

-Alfter the filed receptacle has been removed, it will be readily4 understood that weight 19 returns the fi 'ng and weighing device to its position resting on stop, 21l an the apparatus is in position to have the operation repeated.

With some kinds of' material and with proper speed of operation kof the dischargingpropeller, etc., the clearing device 27 may beA omitted, as the material will be drawn down intoethe' propeller at such a rate as to avoid any'da r of its workin up between the lower enliif hopper 23 an fla e 25. In the construction shown, the bla es 28 of device 27. are Aplaced at an angle t the vertical so that'they ress material downward as well as inwar I t will be readily understood that the blades might be constructed so as to res`s the material inward only or to press 1t downward only, or the angular ends of the arms might be omitted and the device used merely to agitate the material(and maintain a line of cleavage at the bottom of hopper 23.

The ends of blades 28may be brought more closely adjacent to flange when the blades are mounted upon the propeller in themanner shown, so as to move with the weighingand filling device. However, by using s ightly shorter arms, this device might be mounted uponl a stationary support connected to hopper 23. or a stationary rtion of the frame. If desired, it might mounted upon the lower end of a shaft i extending downward through the hopper.

The apparatus disclosed in Figures 3 to 5 in'clusive is similar in neral rinciple to that shown in Figs. 1 an 2. In t is alternative form of construction the apparatus is shown as mounted upon a frame 40, there being pivots 41 u n which the weighing and fillin device is mounted. This weighing and fi ling device lcomprises a casing 41 having a bracket l42 extending to the right and a filling spout 43 extending to the left. Upon bracket 42 there is mounted a motor 4hopper 49, there is a pair of sha 'ing an rawings similar y nected to casing 41 is operated to move the 44 connected by suitable gearing 45 to the drive shaft 46 of a yscrew 47 extendin through lcasing 41 to feed spout 43. l frame 48 is in icateddiagrammatically for supporting a receptacle in filling relation with spout 43. ,l

A stationary hopper 49 discharges downward within a'flange 50 on casing 41'. In the construction shown, the bottom end of hopper 49 and`flange 50 are rectang'iilar in cross section, their sides bei para el and having but limited play there tween, while there is more room between the ends of flange 50 .and the hopper so as to allow for thev oscillation of the flange about axis 41,.

without being interfered with bythe hopper.

Mounted in flange 50 directl beneath l51 and 52, Aeach-car ing. screws 53 and 54 within the flange. n the ends ofl shafts 51 and 52 there are gears 55 Vand-56 in mesh with a gear 57 ori shaft 46. Screws 53 andf54 y are pitched in opposite directions and the parts are' so related that they are driven in a direction to force' feed towards the middle of fla e 50, thereby preventing material from pi 'ng u between the hopper and the A Y flange above t 'e ends of these screws.

It will be noted that the hopper is mounted directly over and symmetricall in relation to the axis about which the and weighing mechanism is mounted.

Projecting from frame'40 there are brackets 58 and`59 carryingsto screws 60 and 61 for limiting the oscillation ofthe filling and weighing machine. Motor 44 being mounted on the right side of the weighing and filling mechamsm partially counterba ances a receptacle su ported on member 48 at the left of the axis of the'wei hing device. `A we'iht 62 may be provide for addditional weight necessary to counter alance the receptacle until it is' properly filled.' n Mounted u there is a switch 63 similar to switch 29 and o erated to control the circuit to motor 44.

he switch may be closed by a rod 64 and pon frame 40 dal diagrammatically indicated on the A and whichmay be constructed to pedal 34; and a rod 66 conswitch to open position when the left side of the ilhng and weighing mechanism descendssoastorestupon stop 60.

AThe operation of this device will be readily ap arent from the description of thedev the casing to swintherewith as this means y of driving the fee device is conmaterial from the casingl ias".

struction withinthe terms of the appendedclaims.

-What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a feeding and weighing device mounted upon a horizontal axis and means to discharge material to said feeding and weighing device directly above said axis and symmetrically arranged with respectthereto, said feeding and weighing device compising a weight on one side of said axis, a receptacle support on the other side of said axis'and means for feeding material from the plane of said 'axis to said receptacle.

2. In combination, a filling and weighing device mounted upon a horizontal axis and having a receiving opening above said axis, a hopper adapted to discharge material into said receiving opening, the discharge end of said hopper being arranged directly above tacle'd'in position to receive material from' and in symmetrical relation to said axis, a Weight on said Vfilling and weighing device on one side vof said axis and a support for a receptacle on the other side of said axis, and means for feeding material from the plane of said axis to said receptacle.

3. Incombination, a casing mounted upon a= horizontal axis and having an inlet opening above and in symmetrical relation to said axis and a discharge opening at one side of said axis, asupport for a lrecepsaid discharge opening, said support being mounted to move with said casing, .non the other side ofthe axis adapted to counterbalance a receptacle on said support, and means in the casing to discharge material therefrom through said opening.

4. In combination, a casing mounted upon a horizontal axis and having an inlet opening above and in symmetrical relation to said axis and a discharge opening at one side of said axis, a support for a receptacle fin position to receive material from said discharge opening, said support being mounted to move with` said-casing, a -weight on the other side of` the axis adapted tov counterbalancev a receptacle on said support, means in the casing to discharge material there- .from through said opening, and a hopper adaptedto discharge material into said inlet opening, the discharge end of the hopper a weight being arranged above and' symmetrically in relation to said axis.

5. In combination, a feeding and weighing device mounted upon a horizontal axis and means to discharge material to said feeding and weighing device directly above said axis and symmetrically arranged with respect thereto, said feeding and weighing device comprising a weight on one side of said axis, a lreceptacle support on the otherside of said axis and means for feedingmaterial from the plane of said axis kto said receptacle,and automatic means controlled by the movement of the filling and weighing device about said axis to stop said feeding means. v

6. In combination, a feeding and weighing device mounted upon a horizontal axis and `means to discharge material to said A feedingand weighing device directly above s'aidaxis and symmetrically arranged with respect thereto, said feeding and weighing device comprising a weight on one side of said axis, a receptacle support on the other side of said ax1s, means for feeding material from the plane of said axis to said receptacle, an electric motor for said feeding said axis, a receptacle support on the other I side of said axis and means for feeding material from the plane of said axis `to said receptacle, and movable means for maintaining a line of cleavage between the material in v,said discharging means and the material in said feeding and weighing device.

8. In combination, a casing having an opening in its upper side and a flange about said opening, saidl casing being mounted upon a horizontal axis, a weight on one side of said axis and a support for a receptacle on the other side of the axis, means in the casing Rfor feedingmaterial from the. plane of the axis to a -receptacle, a guide for material having its discharge end opening within said flange and above and in symmetrical relation to said axis, and means adjacent the lower end of said guide to maintain a. plane lof cleavage between the material in said guideand the materiall in the casing.

9. In combination, a casing having' an opening in its upper side and a. flange about said opening, said casing being mounted upon a horizontal axis, a weight on one side of said axis and a support for a receptacle on'.

the other side of the axis, means in the casing for feeding material from the plane of the axis to a receptacle, a guide for material having its discharge end opening within said flange and above and in symmetrical relation to said axis, and means within said flange for feeding material towards the plane of said axis, whereby materialis prevented from piling u between the fiange and the guide so as to interfere with oscillation of the filling and weighin device.

i 10. In combination, a guide or material having a downwardly directed discharge opening, a casing mounted upon an axis din rectly beneath and in symmetrical relation with said discharge openin ,said casing having an upwardly directed ange surrounding but spaced from the lower end of said guide and havingl a lateral dischar e opening, a centrifugal propeller mounte within said casing upon a vertical axis approximately intersecting said horizontal axis, said propeller being adapted to discharge material through said discharge opening, a support.

for a receptacle mounted to swing with said casing and adapted to hold' a receptacle in receiving relation with said discharge opening, and a weight connected with said casing on the other side of said axis from said receptacle support. l i

11. In combination, a uide for material having a downwardly irected discharge opening, al casing mounted upon an axis c irectly .-beneath and in symmetrical relation vwith said discharge opening, said casing havmg'an upwardly directed ilang'ebsurrounding b'iit s aced from the lower end of said guide an having a lateral discharge openlng, a centrifugal propeller mounted within said casing upon a vertical axis approximately intersecting said horizontal axis, said propeller being adapted` to discharge ma- `terial through said discharge opening, a support for a receptacle mounted to s'wing with said casing and adapted to hold a receptacle in receiving relation with said discharge opening, a weight connected with said casing on the other side -of said axis from said receptacle support, and a device mounted to rotate with said propeller immediately be- .neath said discharge opening and form a' opening, a centrifugal propeller linounted within said lcasing upon a Vertical axis approximatelyl qintersecting said horizontal an' upwardly ldirected flange surrounding but lspaced from the lower end ofsaid guide and having` a lateral discharge axis, said propeller being ada ted to discharge material through sai discharge opening, a support for a receptacle mounted to swing wit said casing and adapted to hold a receptacle in receiving relation with said discharge openin a weight connected with said casing on t e other side of said axis from said receptacle su port, and a device mounted to rotate wit said propeller immediately beneath said discharge opening and move material from said flange towards the axis of thel propeller.

13. In combination, a ide for material having a downwardly irected dischar e opening, a casing mounted upon an axis irectly.beneath and in symmetrical relation with said discharge opening, said casing havin rounding but s aced from the lower end of said guide an opening,` a centrifugal propeller mounted within said casing upon a vertical axis approximately intersecting said horizontal axis, said propeller being adapted towdischarge material. through said discharge opening, a supportfor a receptacle mounted to swing with said casing andadapted to hold a receptacle in receiving relation with said discharge opeiiin a weight connected with said casing on t e other side of said axis from said receptacle support, and a device mounted to rotate with said propeller immediately beneath said discharge opening and move material downward towards the propeller.

14. In combination, .a guide for material having y a downwardly directed dischar e opening, a casing mountedupon an axis irectly beneath and in symmetrical relation kwith said discharge opening, said casing havin an upwardly dire ted flange' surrounding biit spaced from the lower end of said guide and having a lateral discharge opening, a centrifugal propeller mounted.l within .said casing upon a verticalI axis apl.

proximatelyI intersecting said horizontal axis, said propeller being adapted to discharge material through said discharge opening, a support for a receptacle mounted Cto swing with said casing land adapted to 'i hold a receptacle in receiving relation with said discharge openin a weight connected with said casing bn't e other lside of said axis from said receptacle support, an electric motor mounted on said casing, a switch controlling the motor, and means connected to the casing for opening the switch' and stopping the motor lwhen the receptacle-sup-V porting side of the casinor moves downward.

In testimony ,whereof I have hereunto signed my name, to this s ecitication.

' l ES I A. MARSH.

an upwardly directed flange surhaving a lateral discharge 

